Auto and Trucks  

1. Keep Your Truck Bed Clean
It was bound to happen. You lend your truck to a “friend” who says they have a couple of pieces of furniture to move and it comes back to you with scratches in the bed area of your truck. It wouldn’t have been so bad had they apologized, but now you have to deal with unsightly scratches that can only make your truck’s value deteriorate quicker. Had you thought about it, you would have stuck a bed liner in your truck ahead of time to prevent the problem from happening in the first place. The above account actually happened to me as I was trying to help a young couple out with a good deed. I was warned in advance by a friend that the couple would take advantage of me and he was, unfortunately, correct. Let’s just say that it was a b...
Author: Matthew C. Keegan Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 16:38:54 -0500

2. Audi A3: Hot Hatch Meets Smooth Cool German
Despite today's never-ending talk about globalization and the merging of world cultures, German cars still have a personality all their own. But like most strong personalities, the distinct flavor of Teutonic automobiles isn't a favorite with everybody. While the typical German car's smooth, refined manners are impressive, such machines can seem a little too slick feeling for some -- they tend to be a bit isolating, sterile, chilly. Count me among believers of the latter. I generally like cars to have more soul than the usual Bahn-stormer delivers. But that's why I found the new Audi A3 to be such a pleasant surprise. It's as friendly feeling as a Japanese sports sedan, without giving up the sense of precision and refinement that'...
Author: David Bellm Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 16:38:53 -0500

3. Replacement Auto Parts: Where to Find Them
When needing a replacement part for you car, where do you shop? Like many motorists you may head down to the big box retailer for all of your needs. A good choice both for value and for selection. Still, mostly any retailer is limited as to what they can stock. This especially holds true if you drive a rare or uncommon vehicle. Try finding a window regulator for your ’69 Torino at the parts store; they’ll get it for you but it will have to be back ordered. So, where should you shop? That’s up to you, but let’s goes over the options that you have. The Salvage Yard. Let’s admit it: there isn’t anything wrong with going to the junkyard to find the part you need. My ’78 VW Rabbit’s window handle broke and I snagged one off of a junke...
Author: Matthew C. Keegan Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 16:38:53 -0500

4. 5 Tips to Buying BMW Auto Parts
If you are looking for parts for your BMW M3, X5 or Z4, you want the best. Whether you are needing to replace the brakes, hoses, lights or even the tell tale emblem you need to know where to look for factory direct parts at affordable prices. 1- The best place to find any type of part for your BMW is, of course through a BMW dealer. They will either have the parts needed in stock or be able to order them for you with short delivery times. They will be more expensive than other outlets, but you will know that the parts they are selling you are genuine BMW auto parts, not something that is generic. 2- If you choose to purchase your BMW parts via a dealership, be sure to take advantage of the knowledge they can provide. The mecha...
Author: Dan Ford Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 16:38:52 -0500

5. When to Replace Brake Pads
Worn brake pads can adversely impact your ability to bring your car to a halt. This can be especially dangerous in an emergency situation when adequately working brakes are a must to help you stop your car promptly. There are some telltale signs of pending brake problems; do you know what they are? Awareness of a problem is the key to avoiding potential harmful consequences; let’s examine some well known warning signs. Signs of pending brake trouble include the following: Squealing brakes Pulling of the car from one side to the other Wheel grabs Brake pedal pumping Sudden and hard brake pedal Spongy brake pedals Grinding of the brakes While some of these problems may necessitate you replacing other ...
Author: Matthew C. Keegan Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 16:38:51 -0500

6. Consider a Performance Exhaust System
Is it time for you to replace your car’s exhaust system? Have you noticed rust around your muffler and tailpipe? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then consider replacing your stock exhaust system with a performance exhaust system. Up front you will pay more, but in the end a performance exhaust system just may be the last one you will ever need to purchase for your car. Nothing lasts forever, right? Well, in the case of some performance exhaust systems you can come darn close. Consider this: one top manufacturer of cat-back exhausts [more on what one is a bit later] produces an exhaust system with a one million mile guarantee! How can they do this? By making a product from aircraft quality stainless steel, that’s how...
Author: Matthew C. Keegan Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 16:38:48 -0500

7. Clutch Kit Essentials
Worn brake pads can adversely impact your ability to bring your car to a halt. This can be especially dangerous in an emergency situation when adequately working brakes are a must to help you stop your car promptly. There are some telltale signs of pending brake problems; do you know what they are? Awareness of a problem is the key to avoiding potential harmful consequences; let’s examine some well known warning signs. Signs of pending brake trouble include the following: Squealing brakes Pulling of the car from one side to the other Wheel grabs Brake pedal pumping Sudden and hard brake pedal Spongy brake pedals Grinding of the brakes While some of these problems may necessitate you replacing other...
Author: Matthew C. Keegan Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 16:38:43 -0500

8. Car and Truck Alternators
Has your vehicle’s alternator failed? Are you absolutely certain that it isn’t your battery or starter? Determining which part has failed is essential toward avoiding unnecessarily replacing something that hasn’t failed, like your battery. Let’s take a look at some steps you can take to determine that your alternator, in fact, has bit the dust. If you own an alternator testing machine, you can test to see whether your car’s alternator is charging correctly. For most people this isn’t practical as few motorists own such an expensive piece of equipment. For everyone else, there is a practical way for you to easily check to see if your alternator is working properly: Connect a volt meter to your car's battery Start your car
Author: Matthew C. Keegan Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 16:38:42 -0500

9. Dealing with Motorcycle Tire Wear
Worn out is to jeans, dilapidation is to buildings, exhaustion to humans - when it comes to tires it is tire wear. Tire wear is the actual removal of rubber from the tire due to scuffing. The latter is the process of scrubbing of material off the tires which results to cupping, flat band upright tire wear (common on the rear tire) and side flat band tire wear (common on front tire). Side tire wear also happens on both sides of the front tire and also to a minor degree on both sides of the rear tire. The reason why tires have side tear is because of its interaction to the pavement. Do you still remember the Newton’s First Law of Motion? Newton said, “Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion ...
Author: Maricon Williams Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 16:38:41 -0500

10. 6 Frequently Asked Questions about Motorcycle Tires
Being inquisitive is part of our nature. Too many questions are asked. Moreover, we need real answers to these questions. In the field of motorcycles, especially on motorcycle parts, we are bombarded with questions about tires. Here are the questions and their corresponding answers. 1. What’s the right tire age? Basically, the principle is the newer the tire the better. However, to make a tire last longer the tire’s age is of lesser importance. But be careful not to buy tires which are over six or seven years old. You will be able to know their date of manufacturing by searching for the three or four-digit number stamped in the tire’s sidewall. For instance, 2101 stands for 21st week of 2001 - which is its manufacturing da...
Author: Maricon Williams Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2005 16:38:41 -0500

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